December 27, 2011

Oh goodness, it seems a bit surreal that this thing is finally happening. It feels very weird to write that my book is actually available as of today. And, I just found out it's already been reviewed (there are a couple of other project pictures there), wow.

But as it actually is available today, despite my own disbelief, I wanted to tell you a bit about it and show some of the pictures that didn't make it into the book. The book contains almost 30 projects (the almost 30 sounds weird but depending on how you count them you could say there are 32 projects because some projects have variations that required a whole separate set of instructions. There are also some super quick and easy sidebar projects.)

The projects are divided into bags, home, children's projects including toys, bedding and clothing, and adult clothing. My goal was for the projects to simple enough for anyone to sew without being boring, to be pretty, versatile and to be really practical, in other words, projects you would really want to make and use in your every day life. There are lots of full size patterns in a nice envelope at the back of the book. I wanted the book to be really easy to use so nothing in the book needs to be enlarged.

This book was one of the most difficult and rewarding things I've ever done and at this point, out in the world as it is, all I can say is that I really, truly hope you like it...

I also just want to say thank you to my mother, Linda Whelan. She did all the technical illustrations in the book and supported me in every way possible during the writing process. I could not have done it without her. Boy, do I love my mom...

And, I really need to say thank you so much to every one who reads this blog, and those who buy my fabrics and patterns. None of this would have happened without you, and I'm very, very grateful to you every day. Thank you, like seriously, just thank you for the support and kindness you've given me in the last few years...

To celebrate the release of the book I'm giving away 3 downloadable patterns to anyone who buys the book in the next week. Scroll down to the bottom to see the patterns. I'll be explaining how this will work in the next post.

Below are pictures of some of the projects from the book. These pictures didn't work for one reason or another (I took like 3000 or something) but the projects are the same as in the book.

I love this picture of the Big Easy Sling project (a great big reversible bag, super easy to make) but it was too dark in the foreground, too light in the background and wouldn't have printed well.

I love this picture of the box ottoman taken in wonderful Yvonne's gorgeous house, the prettiest house I've ever seen (owned by one of the loveliest people I've ever met) and the setting for many of the pictures in the book. This is just a variation on a baby blocks project in the kids section of the book but I wanted to present a really easy method to make blocks to any size so they could be used as fun squishy seating for a kids room.

My little Ava girl wearing the Juliette blouse project that can be made with short or long sleeves, as dress, or with shirring at the bodice or any combination of these. I wanted to provide a simple pattern the could be used to make lots of variations. This picture was a bit dark and the shirt a bit too washed out to use for the book.

Ok, I know the dress is a bit short!! Goodness, it looks like an ice skating costume or something. It's the Chloe dress, super easy and versatile with a fitted front and shirred back to give a great fit that's also comfortable. Basically, I was rushing to try to catch the light (trying to catch light in Belgium in the winter is not easy and something I was constantly in a panic about while trying to take the pictures for this book) and instead of trying the dress on the model and then carefully pinning it to the correct length I just held it up to her, guestimated, cut and hemmed it. Um, oops. And, to make matters worse the skirt is wrinkled, ugh. We did use another version of this picture in the book, cropped above the hem...

That's a bit better, the skirt length that is. Same dress as above, the Chloe strapless. I do give instructions for straps though as an option. I think this is really classic, feminine silhouette and could be made, depending on the fabric for so many things from a picnic to holiday party. I had originally wanted to make each project in a variety of fabrics to show versatility but there just was not enough time darn it. So, I indulged in some silly and sloppy photoshopping this morning. I went sort of innocent sweet with my original grey dot fabric but I'd love to see this dress made in black with a big red rose at the waist....

This one is the Every Day Tunic. I didn't time it but it is extremely quick and easy to make. I really wanted to include some knit projects in the book because knit is so extremely practical and comfortable. I think this picture is quite lovely but there are a bunch of problems with lighting and focus, ugh again!! There's a good one in the book though.

This is a picture from the actual book of the Go-To Top or Dress. The reviewer I mentioned above had it up so figured why not share it here. Again, super simple to make!

And finally, these are the three downloadable patterns I'll be giving away to anyone who buys the book this week. More details on that in the next post.

Hello!!

Hi There!I'm Tanya. I blog here about my life and my work as an author, fabric, product and sewing pattern designer. My fabrics, scrap booking products, paper products and sewing patterns are available globally. My second book for Random House, Sew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time includes interchangeable patterns to create 219 unique dresses. It will be released June 16th, 2015. Thank you for coming by!